Man treated for puncture wound after cat attack at Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast

UPDATE: A senior zookeeper who was injured by a ‘playful swipe’ from a Sumatran tiger at Australia Zoo today has been discharged from hospital with stitches to the left arm and head.

A SENIOR zookeeper who was “scratched” by a Sumatran tiger at Australia Zoo today has been discharged from hospital with stitches to the left arm and head.

The zoo has confirmed Che Woolcott received what was described as a “playful swipe” from the 12-year-old tiger Ranu during their routine morning walk in an off-display area.

Head curator Kelsey Engle said Ranu became “interested in his surroundings and as the guys approached and changed direction he threw out a paw and one of our keepers ended up with a couple of scratches”.

Ms Engle played down the incident, saying the tiger had acted like a domestic cat would when being mischievous.

“It wasn’t an attack or a mauling,” she said, adding that Ranu was one of the Sunshine Coast zoo’s most affectionate tigers.

Che has worked closely with Ranu since the animal was a cub and has a close relationship with the tiger.

The senior keeper, who started in zoo construction but has been with tigers for more than 10 years, is expected to return to work in days.

Meanwhile Ranu is being pampered with affection and may be treated to an ice block, according to Ms Engle.

It’s the third known tiger attack at Australia Zoo since Kepler Dave Styles was mauled on the throat in 2013 and underwent multiple surgeries and keeper Mark Turner was bitten on the leg in 2014.

EARLIER: A MAN has “deep scratches” to his head after being attacked by a big cat at Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast.

The 35-year-old tiger keeper was taken to Nambour Hospital in a stable condition with two puncture wounds and scratches to his forearm and head.

Queensland Ambulance senior operations supervisor Mark Fisher said the man was conscious and breathing when paramedics arrived just after 11am on Thursday.

Australia Zoo owner Terri Irwin tweeted that one of the zoo’s tigers had got “hot and bothered”.

“Keeper is OK, tiger is OK”.

A Workplace Health and Safety spokesman said the inspectors were on site making initial inquiries.

Australia Zoo are due to hold a press conference into the incident at 2.30pm.

Paramedics transported male in 40s to Nambour hospital with scratches and puncture wound after big cat bite at wild life park in #Beerwah

— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) January 21, 2016

The incident is the third serious tiger attack on a keeper at the zoo in just over two years.

In November 2013, experience tiger handler Dave Styles suffered puncture wounds to his neck and significant blood loss after he was mauled by male Bengal Charlie.

A Workplace Health and Safety investigation found Mr Styles had deliberately excited the 114kg cat to put on a better show and could have died from his injuries.

About a month later, another handler was knocked to the ground during the tiger show but was unharmed.

Hot day @AustraliaZoo. One of our tigers got hot & bothered and scratched a keeper. Keeper is ok, tiger is ok. pic.twitter.com/Ycuuidr0hm

— Terri Irwin (@TerriIrwin) January 21, 2016

In July 2014, tiger trainer Mark Turner was bitten on the calf by 130kg male Sumatran Juma.

Mr Turner said the tiger had reacted to the smell of a rival big cat.

Australia Zoo played down the incident, saying the tiger had only “tagged” Mr Turner with its teeth.